Chermoula Turkey

Packed full of preserved lemons, za’atar and tomato, this tangy and aromatic Chermoula marinade will bring a taste of the farm to your turkey.

 Serves 4

15 Mins Prep

 30 Mins Cooking

 Forkin’ Easy

ingredients

For Brine:
1.5L cold water
45g salt
90g sugar

For Chermoula (makes 70g):
1 tsp ras el hanout (spice blend available in most supermarkets)
½ tbsp za’atar (spice blend available in most supermarkets)
1 tbsp preserved lemon, chopped or puree
2 ½ tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp tomato puree
A good pinch of salt & pepper to taste
1 boneless turkey thigh skin-on (approx. 200g)
1 boneless turkey breast skin-on (approx. 500g)
70g chermoula marinade
A handful of crispy onions, finely sliced and fried until golden brown in olive oil
A handful of chopped parsley to garnish

Method

  1. For serious succulence, brine your turkey 24 hours ahead of marinating. Add your salt and sugar to cold water, whisk until dissolved, and submerged your turkey. Leave in the fridge for 24 hours.
  2. Then, make your Chermoula marinade. To do so combine all ingredients in a blender and whizz until smooth. Set aside in the fridge ready for marinating.
  3. Marinate your turkey thigh and breast in chermoula overnight in the fridge.
  4. When you’re ready to cook, preheat the oven to 175 degrees.
  5. Heat a little olive oil in a metal handle frying pan or griddle pan. Add your turkey thighs and breast skin side down into the pan and cook until golden brown and the skin is crispy.
  6. Transfer your pan to the oven and bake for 15-20 mins until the turkey thighs and breast are cooked through. If you love gadgets and have a meat thermometer to hand, check the internal temperature is 70 degrees to check its done but still moist.
  7. Baste your turkey with the juices and chermoula from the pan
  8. Sprinkle with crispy onions and chopped parsley to serve